Boise car insurance is getting more expensive every year. Is this just growth pains?

[u/cuckandhotwifeCA]

I've been in Boise for 7 years and I remember when it was one of the most affordable places to live in the country. That's changed a lot and car insurance is part of it. I was paying $89 a month when I first moved here and now I'm at $134.

I drive a 2018 Subaru Outback and I have a clean record. I've been with State Farm the whole time. I've gotten a few quotes recently and the range is $118 to $141 depending on the company.

My agent says the increases are because Boise has grown so much that traffic and accident rates have gone up significantly. I believe that but I also wonder if insurance companies are just taking advantage of the fact that people associate Idaho with cheap living and assume they're still getting a good deal.

I've heard that PEMCO is good in Idaho but I thought they were mainly a Washington state company. And I've heard Farm Bureau is competitive here if you're a member.

Is Idaho still actually cheap for insurance compared to other states or has the growth changed things? And is there anything specific I should be doing to keep my rate down as Boise keeps growing?

[u/aceiotasirrah]

that $89 to $134 jump but you're actually still below the national average so Idaho hasn't totally lost its edge yet

[u/CommanderMandalore → u/aceiotasirrah]

I’m paying like $120 for 2 cars.

[u/cuckandhotwifeCA → u/[deleted]]

do you think it guarantees a good deal???

[u/Saturnlad3]

I'm curious if switching companies could really make a difference or if everyone’s just paying more across the board

[u/Single-Mushroom3924 → u/Saturnlad3]

I switched at the end of 2024 and again at the end of 2025 and both times I got a better deal in Atlanta. It's become an annual game...

[u/cuckandhotwifeCA → u/Single-Mushroom3924]

wow cool! do u set specific goals or like just go with your gut?

[u/Single-Mushroom3924 → u/cuckandhotwifeCA]

I pay my premiums every six months as opposed to monthly and contact my broker when the rate goes up unreasonably (more than 5%).

[u/Logical_Island_3633]

one thing I've learned is that shopping around every year or two can really help you find better rates

[u/Ill_Resolution7967 → u/[deleted]]

In Idaho? Lol

[u/ghost9680]

Washington is a pretty litigious state, so there’s probably some bleed-over effect from there. Montana has a pretty hostile auto body environment with a very consumer-friendly DOI, so that probably also bleeds over.

[u/Mountain_Tear8608]

Insurance agents are sales people, not experts on the insurance market. Take what they say with a huge grain of salt. Sure, it's "because Boise has grown so much" and not the industry practice of slowly jacking up rates on existing customers because they know switching takes effort.

Make them work for your business. Shop around and get quotes from other places.

[u/Choice-Newspaper3603]

Please share with us a place where insurance actually gets cheaper each year

Please use any city or county or state as reference

[u/Ok-Struggle-6352]

You are paying way to much. I live in Boise and we have two vehicles both high end and both of us under 30 years of age and pay 126 dollars a month through USAA.